Air conditioning apparatus



March 28, 1939. TURNER 2,152,574

AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 1, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l F Illl l -1- [5- M ATTURNEX Mmh 28, 1939. E, T RN 2,152,574

AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 1, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVE N THE. A517 T TURN/57?.

F 9 h M his A T TUHNE):

Patented Mar. 28, 1939 PATENT OFFICE AIR. CONDITIONING APPARATUS Edward T. Turner, Dayton, Ohio Application October 1,

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an air conditionin apparatus and one object of the invention is to provide a simple compact apparatus which will impart to the air delivered to a room the desired temperature and humidity and will cleanse the air.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus which willexpose large surface areas of water to contact with air flowing counter-current to the water; and to this end it is also an object of the invention to provide baffies of such a character and so arranged that large surface areas of water will be so exposed in a relatively small space.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus with means for automatically controlling the passage of air through the same to control the humidity of the air discharged therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus with means for automatically regulating the flow of water through the same and for preventing the freezing of the water at low temperatures.

Other objects of the invention may appear as the apparatus is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken through an apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view the the apparatus for regulating the flow of water; Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the baffles; Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view of a portion of one of the baffles showing the means for spacing and connecting the several parts of the bafile; Fig. 4a is a plan view of that part of the baffle shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 5is a sectional view showing one element of the baffle inside elevation; Fig. 6 is an edge view of one of the elements or windings of the baffle; and Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken through portions of two of the bailles.

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of the invention and have shown the same as comprising an upright casing which in 1 effect constitutes an enlarged part of the air conduit and has within the same means for causing air and water to flow counter-current in contact one with the other, and means for regulating the flow of air and of water; The casing is preferably cylindrical in form and includes an outer shell and an inner shell ll of a diameter somewhat less than the diameter of the outer shell so as to provide between the two shells a relatively wide annular passageway l2. The outer shell has near its lower end an air inlet l3 and near its upper end an air outlet M. A sin- 1937, Serial No. 166,861

gle outlet is here shown but obviously any suitable number of outlets may be provided. The lower end of the outer shell may be closed in any suitable manner but, in the present instance, it is merely provided with a base ring l5 of yieldable material, such as soft rubber, which-rests upon the floor and prevents any appreciable amount of air passing beneath the edge of the shell. The inner shell is of less length than the outer shell and its lower edge preferably terminates just below the level of the air inlet l3 and is here .shown as connected with the outer shell by an annular trough-shaped structure It which serves both as a support for the inner shell and as a receptacle to receive water passing through the annular passageway. This trough-shaped structure is provided with an outlet ll leading'to the exterior of the apparatus. The lower portion of the inner shell, above the trough l6, isprovided with a series of openings l8 which place the interior thereof in open communication with the annular passageway. The upper end of the inner shell is closed by a top wall lllwhich, in the present instance, is provided with an opening 20 controlled by a valve 2|, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. It will be understood, however, that this valve is normally closed so that no air can escape from the upper portion to the inner shell.

It will be apparent that the air entering the casing through the inlet I3 will flow upwardly through the annular passageway I! to the outlet I4 and water is delivered to the upper end of this annular passageway and flows downwardly therethrough in contact with the air. In order that relatively large surface areas of water may be exposed to contact with the air I have mounted within the annular passageway a series of baffles 22 arranged one above the other, the uppermost bafiie being close to the upper end of the passageway and the lowermost baflle being arranged Just. above the openings [8 in. the inner shell. Each of these baffles comprises a series of upright parts of thin material which are spaced one from the other and are preferably inclined to provide the same with inclined surfaces over which the water may flow, the several bailles being so arranged that the water will pass from one to the other. It is also preferable that the upright parts or plates of adjacent baffles shall be inclined in op posite directions so that the water flowing over the inclined surfaces of one baffle will be delivered onto the inclined surfaces of the next lower baffle. By 50 inclining the upright parts or plates of adjacent baffles in opposite directions it is possible to arrange the baflles in vertical alinement and to utilize a relatively narrow passageway for the air and water. In the present arrangement each baffle is of annular construction and is of a width corresponding substantially to the width of the annular passageway, it being supported at its opposite sides by the inner and outer shells. It is also desirable that the upright parts or plates of the baflies shall be formed of material having a high degree of heat conductivity, such as copper, so that the lower or relatively dry surfaces of the parts or plates will have substantially the temperature of the upper or wet sides of the plates. The bailles are insulated one from the other so as to prevent the transmission of heat from one bailie to the other. In the present arrangement this is accomplished by spacing the baflles one from the other, the narrow strips of spacing material being interposed between adjacent bafiles, as shown at 23, and insulation 24 being interposed between the baflies and the respective shells to prevent transmission of the heat between the shells and the baiiies.

Preferably each baffle is formed from a single strip or ribbon 25 of thin material wound spirally and having the several windings spaced one from the other, as shown in Figs. 3 to 7. These windings, which constitute the plates of the baiile, may be spaced one from the other in any suitable manner, as by punching lugs 26 from the strip and bending the same so that their free ends will contact with adjacent windings. Preferably these lugs are struck from the edge portions of the strip and are bent about their upright edges so that the upper edges of the lugs will be flush with the upper edges of the windings and may be quickly and easily soldered to the adjacent windings. By so forming the lugs on the strip of material that they will be arranged in radial series, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, each series of lugs may be quickly soldered at one operation. While it is desirable that the water.

shall spread over the entire surfaces of the inclined plates or windings it is not desirable that the water should be permitted to spread lengthwise of the plates or windings to any great extent, as this might result in the water so accumulating on the plates that it would flow therefrom in relatively large quantities at widely separated points and thus would be improperly delivered to the next lower bafile. I have therefore provided each plate of the battle with undulations which form shallow transverse channels 21 on the plate and serve to restrict the spreading of the water lengthwise thereof.

The water may be delivered to the bafiles 'in any suitable manner and, in the present apparatus, I have mounted in the upper portion of the casing a rotary distributor which travels over the uppermost baffle and distributes the water thereto. In the construction shown this distributor comprises a hollow head 28 which is rotatably mounted on the lower end of a tubular supporting member 29 which is connected at its upper end with a water supply pipe 30. Tubular distributing members or pipes 3| are carried by the hollow head 28 and are in open communication with the interior thereof so as to receive water from the supply pipe. The outer end portions of each distributing member is provided with a series of apertures 32 which lie above the baflle. There is preferably an aperture for each winding or plate of the baiile and the apertures are so arranged that the water will be delivered in fine J'ets onto the inclined surfaces of the respective windings. The distributor may be rotated by any suitable means but-{as here shown, the apertures 32 are arranged at an inclination to'the plane of rotation 01' the distributor so that the reaction of the water discharged through the apertures will impart rotary movement to the distributor and thus maintain the rotation of the same so long as water flows to the baiiles.

The air may be taken from any suitable source of supply but preferably is taken from the exterior of the building in which the apparatus is located, and it may be caused to flow through the casing in any suitable manner, as by a blower arranged in the conduit in advance of the casing *or by a suction fan acting on the outlet conduit beyond the casing, both arrangements being well known in the art. The air entering the lower end of the casing will pass through the openings i8 of the inner shell, thence upwardly through the bailles in the annular passageway in contact with the water which is flowing downwardly through that passageway, the number and arrangement of the baffles being such that the transfer of heat between the air and water will result in the air being discharged from the upper end of the annular passageway at substantially the temperature of the incoming water and the water will be discharged from the lowermost batlle at approximately the temperature of the incoming air. The air will, of course, contact the water and any dust or impurities will be removed from the air by their contact with the water, so that clean humidified air of the proper temperature is delivered to the outlet. In the present instance I have interposed between the distributor and the outlet a separator 33 to remove excess moisture from the air. As shown this separator is in the form of an annular baifle similar to the battles 22 and is supported between the outer shell and a plate 34 which is secured to the tubular structure 29 and closes the opening through the annular baille. This separator is arranged directly above the annular passageway so that the water separated from the air will drip onto the uppermost bafile.

It is at times desirable to reduce the dew point temperature of the air which is delivered from the apparatus to the room, this being particularly desirable in cold weather to prevent the formation of steamer frost on the windows. The dew point temperature of the air may be so reduced by mixing with the air which has passed over the baffles other air taken directly from the inlet l3 and for this purpose the top wall of the inner shell has been provided with the valve 2|, which, as above stated, is normally closed, and means have been provided for automatically opening this valve when the temperature of the incoming air drops below a predetermined degree. In the arrangement here illustrated the valve 2| has a stem 35 which is pivotally connected with a lever 36 mounted at one end on the, inner shell and weighted at 31 to hold the valve normally closed. The other end of the lever has a laterally extending projection or pin 38 mounted in a slotted bar 39 secured to the lower end of a bellows 40, the upper end of which is secured to a bracket 4i and thus held against movement. The bellows is connected by a tube 42 with a bulb 43 containing a volatile fluid and arranged in the path of the water discharged from the baiiles. It is here shown as arranged within the trough-like structure l6 so that the water from the bailles will drip over the same as it. enters the structure but, if desired, the drain I! may be so arranged as to maintain sufllcient water in the trough to immerse the bulb. As has been stated, the water is discharged from the'lowermost baffle at a temperature approximating the temperature of the incoming air and as the temperature of the incoming air falls the temperature of the outgoing water will also fall and the bellows 40 will be caused to contract until the lower end of the slotted bar engages the pin 38 on the lever and actuates that lever to open the valve. The slot in the bar 39 is of such length that the lever will not be actuated until the temperature of the incoming air has fallen to a predetermined degree.

In cool weather, when it is not necessary to substantially reduce the temperature of the incoming air, less water is required to condition the air than is necessary during warmer weather and I have therefore provided means for reducing the flow of water to the baffles as the temperature of the incoming air drops. It is also desirable that the water should be delivered to the distributor at a constant pressure and I have here shown the water supply pipe 30 as connected with a tank 44 to which water is supplied from a main supply pipe 45 which is provided with a valve 46 controlled by a float 41 to maintain the water in the tank at a substantially constant level. The bottom of the tank is provided with,

a discharge port 48 leading to the pipe 30 and this port is controlled by a valve member, here shown as a round pin having a tapered end 50. The valve pin 49 is connected with one end of a lever 5| which is pivotally mounted between its ends and the other end of which is connected by a link 52 with a bellows 53 which is connected by a tube 54 with the tube 42 which carries the bulb 43. The. connection of thevalve with the bellows is such that when the bellows is fully expanded, as it will be in warm weather, the valve is entirely withdrawn from the port 48 so as to permit a substantially unrestricted flow of water through that port. As the temperature of the incoming air falls the bellows 53 will contract and move the tapered end of the valve into the port to gradually reduce the flow of water through the latter and in cold weather the cylindrical portion of the valve will be moved into the port. However, the port is preferably of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the valve pin so that the flow of water will never be entirely interrupted but even in cool weather a thin film of water will flow over the baffles.

In exceptionally cold weather there is danger of this thin film of water being frozen onto the baffles due to the extremely low temperature of the incoming air and I have therefore provided means for increasing the flow of water over the bafiles when the temperature of the incoming air is excessively low, without interfering with the normal operation of the regulating valve 49. For this purpose the tank is provided with a second discharge port 55 leading to the supply pipe 30 and this port is controlled by a valve pin 56 similar to the valve 49. The valve pin 55 is connected at its upper end with one end of a lever 51 which is pivotally mounted at its other end and is connected between its ends by a link 58 with a bellows 59 also connected with the tube 54. The valve pin 56 is of such length that when the bellows is fully expanded the cylindrical portion of the pin will extend into and substantially close the port 55. However, a slight clearance may be provided about the pin, if desired, but vVl-lCn this 15 done it is taken into consideration in determining the clearance between the valve 49 and the port 48. As the bellows 59 contracts the valve pin 56 will be moved upwardly while the valve 49 is moved downwardly but the length of the cylindrical portion of the valve pin 56 is such that it will remain in the port 55 and substantially close the latter, until the valve pin 49 has been moved into the port 48 such a distance as to reduce the flow of water through the port 48 substantially to a minimum. When the flow through port 48 has thus been reduced a further drop in temperature will cause the tapered portion 60 of the valve pin 55 to extend through the upper end of the port 55 and thus permit a gradually increasing flow of water through the port 55, the valve being so arranged that the combined flow of water through the two ports 48 and 55 will supply the water in such quantities that the flow oi'water over the baflleswill be in such volume that there will 'be little likelihood of its freezing. v, v

While I haveshown and-described one embodiment of my invention 1 wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited'to the details thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art. I

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: g h

1. In an air conditioning apparatus, an upright casing comprising an outer shell and an in-- ner shell arranged within said outer shell and spaced therefrom to form a passageway between said shells, said outer shell having an air inlet communicating with the lower end of said passageway and an air outlet communicating with the upper end of said passageway, a plurality of bailles mounted in said passageway one above the other, a distributor to deliver water to the uppermost bafile, said inner shell forming a -by-pass communicating with said air inlet, a valve to control the flow of air through said by-pass, means controlled in accordance with the temperature of the incoming air to actuate said valve, temperature controlled means for regulating the delivery of water to said baflles, and other temperature .controlled means for increasing the delivery of water to said bailles when the incoming air has an excessively low temperature.

2..In an air conditioning apparatus, an upright casing provided with an annular passageway having an internal diameter substantially greater than its width, said casing having an air inlet communicating with the lower end of said passageway, and an air outlet communicating with the upper end of said passageway, a plurality of baffles mounted one above the other in said passageway and each comprising a series of upright parts of thin heat conducting material spaced laterally one from the other, the upright parts of adjacent baflles being inclined in opposite directions and so arranged that water will flow from the inclined parts of each higher bame onto the corresponding inclined parts of the next lower baflie, and means for delivering water in small and substantially uniform quantities tothe respective inclined parts of the uppermost baffle, said baffles being spaced vertically one from the other, and insulating means for preventing the conduction of heat from one baflle through a wall of said passageway to another baffle.

3. In an air conditioning apparatus, an upright casing provided with an annular passageway having an internal diameter substantially greater than its width, said casing having an air inlet communicating with the lower end of said passageway, and an air outlet communicating with the upper end of .said passageway, a plurality of baiiles mounted one above the other in said passageway and each comprising a series of substantially circular parts of thin material arranged on edge, spaced laterally one from the other and so arranged that water will flow from the inclined parts of each higher baille onto the inclined parts of the next lower baille, and a water distributor'having apart extending across .and rotating over the uppermost baflle, said part of said distributor having a longitudinal series of openings, each opening being associated with and arranged to deliver substantially uniform quantities of water to one only of the circular parts of said uppermost baille.

4. In an air conditioning apparatus, an upright casing having a passageway for air and having an air inlet communicating with the lower end of said passageway and an air outlet communicating with the upper end of said passageway, a plurality of bailles mounted in said passageway in the path of the air traveling therethrough and spaced vertically one from the other,

' each baflie comprising a series of upright parts spaced one from the other, said bailles being arranged to cause water to flow from the upright parts of a higher baille onto the upright parts of the next lower bafile, means for delivering water in substantially equal quantities to the several upright parts of the uppermost baffle, whereby air and water will flow through said passageway'in opposite directions and'in intimate contact one with the other, means for controlling the humidity of the air delivered to said outlet, including a by-pass leading from said inlet to said outlet, a valve to control the passage of air through said by-pass, and a temperature responsive device to actuate said valve in accordance with the temperature of the incoming air.

5. In an air conditioning apparatus, an upright casing provided with a central conduit, an annular passageway, surrounding said conduit, a plurality of annular baiiies mounted one above the other in said passageway and each comprising a series of substantially circular parts, the parts of adJacent baiiies being inclined in opposite directions, means for delivering water in substantially equal quantities to the respective circular parts of theuppermost baille, said casing having an air inlet communicating with the lower ends of said conduit and said passageway, and an outlet communicating with the upper end of said passageway, means for modifying the humidity of the 'air discharged from the upper end of said passageway, including an opening in the upper end of said conduit, a normally closed closure for said opening, a temperature respon-- sive element arranged in the path of the water discharged from the lowermost baille, and means controlled by said element for opening said closure when the temperature oi said water drops.

6. In an air conditioning apparatus, an upright casing having a passageway for air and having an air inlet communicating with the lower end of said passageway and an air outlet communicating with the upper end oi said passageway, a battle mounted in said passageway, means for delivering water to said baille, temperature controlled means for decreasing the delivery of said water as the temperature of the incoming air drops, and other temperature controlled means for increasing the delivery of water to said bailie when the incoming air has an excessively low temperature.

'7. In an air conditioning apparatus, an upright casing having a passageway for air and having an air inlet communicating with the lower end of said passageway and an air outlet communicating with the upper end of said passageway, a baille mounted in said passageway, means for delivering water to said baille comprising a distributor, means including two passageways to connect said distributor with a source of water supply, a normally open valve in one of said passageways, a normally closed valve in the other of said passageways, and temperature controlled means to close the first mentioned valve when the temperature of the incoming air falls to a. predetermined degree and to open the last mentioned valve when said temperature falls below said predetermined degree.

8. In an air conditioning apparatus, an upright casing having a passageway for air and having an air inlet communicating with the lower end of said passageway and an air outlet communicating with the upper end of said passageway, a baflie mounted in said passageway, a source of water supply having two outlet ports leading to said bafile, a normally open valve for one of said ports, and a normally closed valve for the other of said ports, and temperature controlled means to move said valves simultaneously in opposite directions, said normally closed valve being so arranged that it will not open its port until said normally open valve has been moved .to its closed position. I

9. In an air conditioning apparatus, an up- ,right casing provided with an' annular passageway having an internal diameter substantially greater than its width, said casing having 'an air inlet communicating with the lower end of said passageway and an air outlet communicating with the upper end of said passageway, a plurality of annular bailles mounted one above the other in said passageway and spaced vertically one from the other, each baflle comprising a series of upright parts spaced laterally one from the other, the upright parts of adjacent baiiies being inclined in opposite directions and so arranged that water will flow from the inclined parts of each higher baffle onto the corresponding parts 01 the next lower bailie, and means for delivering water in small and substantially uniform quantities to the respective inclined parts of the uppermost baille and causing said water to flow over said baiiles successively in countercurrent relation to the air passing upwardly through said passageway.

EDWARD T. TURNER. 

